From a Cello

She struck up a familiar tune

Boldly on my heartstrings

The hands were different,

New and strange

She played in unfamiliar ways

But I recognized the prelude

And I knew what was to come

As the first chord sang out in time

I knew she was the one.

 

She pulled herself across me 

And it resonated deep

All this time,

Waiting

Watching

Talking in my sleep.

I needed her, I needed this,

Staccato to the beat

Rainlike pizzicato

Like we're dancing in the street.

 

She loves me, how she loves me,

I could feel it in her thighs

As she wrapped herself around me

As I heard the way she sighed.

 

She hesitated at the largo

Paused to turn the page

My heart ached for the loss of her

My strings quaked with the tune she played

It was slow next

Like a fine wine

I poured in all my lonely nights

Before her time.

She leaned into it,

Made me sob in unfamiliar ways

The rosin bit like I'd been hit

She pushed,

Pulled,

Played.

 

But I feared the allegretto

For I'd heard this tune before

This is where they faltered,

Growing tentative,

And unsure.

 

I prayed to gods of music that I'd never known.

Lend her strength, for me.

Let her know she's not alone.

 

She began

With a sixteenth note - 

Sprang off

To the wild winds

And I hoped.

 

Then she somehow dragged out music

From the bottom of my soul

Like it was nothing,

Like it'd all been done before.

Her knee pressed closer as she kept the beat

Her lips moved,

She concentrated on the rhythm of her feet.

And I sang at her direction

Oh how she knew me now!

Pushed at all the limits

That the music would allow.

 

But then she stopped abruptly

And I felt her sigh.

No, no no no please,

Just a little more,

Just one more try.

 

I was gasping from the fire in her fingers as she played,

Just one more time,

Just another tiny serenade

I'll convince her somehow.

I'll make her stay.

 

She set me down so gently

That she must have understood

I was helpless,

I was silent,

Watching as she stood.

"Not this one," I heard her say,

"Let's try another shop."

We were beautiful together,

So I thought.